Finally Did It

clairus99

Well... it was a long time coming and a long time for me getting around to it, but I finally went to the courts and got myself made BR, ten days ago.

Just had my phone call with the OR.

Now what?! I just wait a year? She said I didn't need to contact her about work (I'm unemployed) unless I earned more than £1000 (I often do temp or acting work, so it's a few days, at most, usually, here and there) or got a permanent job. Although if I work, I guess I have no bank account to put them into. I have a Santander basic current account but she said that this (and my esaver account) will be closed down.

So I guess my remaining question is, if I work, how do I get paid?!

fiveyearplan

Congratulations! There are bank accounts that BR people can open but I'm not sure which ones they are. I have just recently come back to this forum after a long break. The Coop used to open a basic account for BRs but I don't think they do any more. Someone, no doubt, will be along soon with more up to date information.

clairus99

thanks

i did think that santander might keep my account open - when i opened it i did inform them that i intended to become BR (that was back in July last year), but they were okay about it. i thought i saw them on a top of a list of banks likely to give a br an account, something i got from cccs/stepchange about a year ago.

am wondering if i should give santander a call just to inform them... just don't want to do anything out of place! there is still a little money in the accounts (total about £13). i don't want to spend it and then have the OR tell me i shouldnt have touched the account or contacted...

IF

Congratulations from me too clarius99, have a read of the BR friendly bank sticky, click on link below:

-- > https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3582093

Do open a Barclays Cash Card Account. Here's to your new start :beer:

BARCLAYS

If Barclays are a creditor you can open the basic account after you are BR.

With Barclays you will have to go in branch to open, you have DD and SO, visa debit card, they do NOT allow telephone and Internet banking to BR's, you can go into any branch to deposit money or Cheques and withdraw money from any link machine.

Cash Card Account - Click here


Best wishes
IF...x

clairus99

thank you so much - i will do that.

i've just been on the phone to santander... i won't get involved with accounts or the money in them, but they did confirm that i could apply for a basic account, as there is no credit check for them. there's no overdraft (don't want it anyway), but i can pay cheques in, set up DD/SOs, and get an ATM card (not a debit card though). i can live with that. however, i like the fact that barclay's will let you have a debit card... *ah, after reading the sticky, i think i will apply for the barclay's one - thanks

i just want to say that this process (up to now) would have been a lot more stressful were it not for the great help, support and advice from both cccs/stepchange and the cab (esp the one at the royal courts of justice, and, specifically, sean there). the staff at the court (esp mohammed) were all really friendly and helpful. i only don't mention the MSE forum because i hardly used it - but i really should have!

i just want to urge anyone thinking about br to contact stepchange, and, yes, it will be stressful, because it is stressful, but they don't make it worse for you. just take your time to do things so that you do them right, be totally, 100% honest and don't over-worry.

hButterflyH

I opened an account with Santander a month or two before going BR as I had an OD with my previous bank and so I knew that they wouldnt let me keep it. When I went BR, because I didnt have an OD facility or owe them any money, both the OR and Santander let me keep the account.

fiveyearplan

I'm glad you found support. Personally, I got all of my support pre and post bankruptcy on this forum.

PippaGirl_2

clairus, I would make sure you get the instruction in writing that you don't need to inform the OR of any earnings up to £1000 just to cover yourself. I say that because legally you must inform the OR of any change in income so I would advise you to cover yourself here but either informing them anyway whatever they told you on the phone or getting that in writing somehow in case it is ever disputed by them later.